-the journey to little Moraikobai

AS YOU contemplate the trip to the small Indigenous village of Moraikobai, situated in the upper reaches of the Mahaicony river in the agriculturally rich Region Five, there are two

options available to you: travel by river or travel by trail.

You’d be hard pressed to find a place with more natural resources and an expanse of white sand, which kisses the edge of the river and contrasts deeply with the black waters of the Francois Creek.

If you choose to travel by river, the trip starts at the stelling at the confluence of the Mahaicony River, where the Police Station commands a view of the speedboats plying their trade. A fun fact to know is that the Mahaicony River Access Bridge is one of three major features of the coastal infrastructure of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice). The other two are the Mahaica Bridge, which spans the river with the same name; and the Berbice River Bridge, which connects Region Five with Region Six.

Travelling 96 miles up the Mahaicony river entails roughly two and a half hours of smooth sailing, in which one can hear the sweet

chirp of birds like the Canje Pheasant, Guyana’s National Bird, and those that flock the trees overhanging both sides of the river, eating fruit as soon as they ripen.

Roaring as it goes along, the noise of the speedboat awakens the wilderness, while movement in the water is not limited to the boat, but extends to the fishes. The sound of the speedboat also arouses the interest of residents who occupy small houses in small settlements along the way. However, as the boat goes farther down the river, bottoms start aching, and a person is

bound to ask: “Are we there yet?”

There is a glimmer of hope as the trees separate and expanses of white sand appear on both sides of

the river. Silence reigns supreme, and the small number of villagers can be seen gathered at the edge of what is known to them as the Francois Creek. The bright smiles welcome visitors who battled either the scorching sun or heavy rainfall to get to their destination.

By Trail
For those who choose to travel by trail, their journey begins along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. It should be stated that the journey is unsuited for vehicles without the four-by-four features, and that explains what the journey ahead holds.

Travelling from Georgetown takes an approximate one-to-two-hour drive to Linden, but that’s just the beginning. Instead of a right turn into Linden, it’s a left turn to Moraikobai. Now, if boat passengers had experienced a bad case of butt-cramp, those in the four by four’s wouldn’t even feel theirs, travelling over uneven slopes of mud which start off the trail, and the constant bumps that pose a battle even for the monstrous four-by-four vehicles.

Just like with the boat ride, the trees form an arch over the trail, giving persons not only shade from the sun, but also a chance to see monkeys swinging from tree to tree. But just like the monkeys swing without care, the vehicles sway from side to side; and although the uneven slopes seem never-ending, the magnificence of the terrain changes, and persons are confronted by a beautiful expanse of white sand.

The change in landscape happens so quickly it would not be noticed if persons shift their attention for even a minute. Nevertheless, as the five-hour journey and the swaying from side to side continues, another challenge poses a threat to the adventurers when the trail splits into different sections, some leading to the savannahs and some leading to destination Moraikobai.

Without a tour guide persons would be stuck on the high slopes of sand or end up going around in circles searching for the place. One would appear to be “lost in the juggle,” as some persons have said.

The trip, nonetheless, is nothing short of adventurous; because aside from the challenges which travellers face, they are also afforded opportunities to see exotic animals and creatures like anteaters, orange spiders, huge bugs, and particularly the scenic view of the jungle in the distance, which excitingly gets closer and closer with every move one makes.

After hours of travelling, the eyes would be awakened by the sight of civilization, with houses between trees, houses with wheels, and children and adults walking around the placid and quiet village of Moraikobai.